17 Jun 2021

North West District (NWD) councillors have called for the inclusion of teachers in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine roll out.

The councillors made the call during a NWDC session on June 16, with Councillor for Boyei, Mr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla, saying teachers must be given priority in the vaccination programme as a large number of them had succumbed to COVID-19 in the district.

Councillor for Komana/Toteng, Mr Zahorerua Maoveka reiterated that teachers and health workers should be prioritised as they were some of the most affected.

Councillor for Thamalakane South, Mr Othaile Molamu commended the Ngami Regional Health Management Team for the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, which he said was a success in his area.

He, however, called for the prioritisation of employees in the Safari industry, which he said would help attract tourists to the district and revive the tourism industry.

Councillor for Kauxwi-Xakao, Mr Television France said mobile clinics in his area of Mohembo East were left behind in the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, leading to some eligible people missing out on the vaccination.

In his speech, the NWDC chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho had said that the district had recorded a cumulative total of 3 628 COVID-19 cases to-date, 236 of which were active, and 78 resulted in deaths.

He therefore appealed to members of the community to continue observing COVID-19 protocols.

The North West District, he said, had vaccinated 3 540 clients with AstraZeneca and 6 558 with the Sinovac vaccine.

Mr Ntsogotho said the district had expanded vaccination sites to 73 in order to reach out to all the targeted populations, while mobile sites would also be visited to cover settlements and cattle posts.

He therefore appealed to communities to continue registering. He said the target for the current round were those aged 55 and above and healthcare workers. ENDS